Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-09-01


containing the canes history, had been
lost. With the assistance of W. FL. Ed
wards, treasurer of the society, and after
considerable search, the missing minutes
containing the canes history had been
found in the files of the DAILY ARGUS,
from which the missing minutes had been
copied, and they were on hand, and he
hoped to have them transcribed into the
books of the society.
ELIGIBILITY OF MEMBERSHIP.
He had another suggestion TO make and
that was, that according to the constitution,
members could not be received unless they
came TO this county or were born here by
1S45. 1t seemed that in order to perpet-
uate the society a vital spark should be
given it which would send it down
from generation to generation. He
therefore recommended consideration of a
resolution already before the association,
for the remedying of the difficulty. The
proposition was to extend the eligibility
of membership to 1850 and TO make the
children of the old settlers and
their children eligible to mems
bership forever The resolution was
then read by W. H Edwards,
who had prepared it. He also moved
that the record of the meetings of Feb
ruary and September, 1867, found in the
ARGUS, be engrafted in the records of
| the association. The minutes were read
and the motion carried unanimously.
CANE RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. W. II. Edwards then read pres
| amble and resolutions as to the DISPOSE
ton of the presidents cane, the substance
of which was that committee of three
be appointed by the chair to
confer with the supervisors at their
next meeting with view of procuring a
suitable case for the safe-keeping of the
cane, and that it be placed in the ar
chivcs of the county, and that only the
names of these old settlers who had
resided in Rock Island county since
1916 be inscribed upon it. The reso,
luton was carried unanimously. The
Moline Glee club gave another selec
ton, and business proceedings occupied
the remainder of the time until the serv>
| ing of dinner at o clock.
At $50 thus afternoon the exercises
reopened with music by the Deere band
| and the Glee club, and then followed the
HISTORICAL ADDRESS
by Mr. VIM jackson, Esq of this city
1t was sketch of Rock Island county,
| Mr.. Jackson first referred to the locality
where the old settlers who were celebrate
ing today had first cast their lots. He
then went on to speak of the occupancy
of the territory by the Indians, showing
| its attractive character and beautiful
scenery that attracted white settlers in
1928, chief among whom WAS John n
Spencer, the Case family and the Wells
family; also Mr.. Ben. Goble, now living
on Big island The building of Fort
Armstrong in 1916, which caused the
settlers To locate near the Fort, was
spoke of, also the building of Bar
rell house in February. in 1928. Th,
adventurous character of Col. Geo Dav-
export was described Rock Island
county was formed from part of
10 Davies county, February 9, 1921.
10 Davies comfy was in the northwesi
portion of the state and embraced the terri
tory composed of about eleven counties
as they now exist. An act of March l
| 1888, named three persons TO locate tn
county seat and to call ii Stephenson
The first court was held April 20, 1887
Judge R. M. Yourg presiding. Mr.
Jackson referred to the first settlement il
the county, showing the character of The
furniture used by the early settlers, b.
the estate inventories. Mr. Jackson in
terspersed his address with some anus
ing "reminiscences. The taxes collected
for 1888, were S53.723 cents. The sher
ifs commission SO 973
~, ,f
ty court the court recommended the es
Establishment of post office at John Bur
rell's house and Joseph Conway as post
master. 1t cost t24 cents for a perso
to run the ferry to the island for a lette
where the post office was then. The fir:
rec orded prisoner in Jail was Cur
Munior, a soldier from the fort, who wa
held for larceny, March 4, 1888
The court house was built in 1887 b
Sam Smith, at d cost of $4,000, ex clU
sive of the brick The present Jail wa
built in 1857, at a cost of $50 0uO.
The first brass band was organized i
1874 by A NJ Hubbard of Moline. The TO
lowing gentlemen, now living in Moline
were members: Thomas Merriman, WI
II. Edwards, A. Hubbard Jonatha
Huntoon, Joseph Huntoon This ban
was playing on July 4. 1915, at picnic
when Col. Davenport was murdered, an
also played at banquet at the openin
of the c., K. |. & p road in February
1854
NOTES
: Nature could not have selected bette
site for the picnic.
The Deere COrnet band of Molin,
furnished stirring music.
Daniel Goble, the oldest settler in tn
county in point of residence, exceE
Bailey Davenport, was present.
The Union street railway did rusbin
business, while the Moline & Rock Islam
line carried many of the pioneers.
The Moline Glee club, composed G
Messrs. Hepburn, Barlow, Mcpherson
Sale. Sloan and Wheelock rendered de